Interest in child mental health during the first half of the 20th century spawned the growth of "child guidance clinics" in the United States. Child guidance clinics had the goal of preventing mental illness, and sought to curb juvenile delinquency, a growing social problem.  The practitioners involved in the child guidance movement sought to apply new psychological theories and findings to the very real-life problems they faced. A multidisciplinary approach involving parents as well as youth was typical.  Many modern psychoeducational approaches were developed with this early attempt to deal with problems affecting children and families.

One of the most creative and influential psychoeducators was Dr.Fritz Redl (1902-1988), an Austrian who emigrated to the United States before World War II. Redl had trained in psychoanalysis and had worked with August Aichorn, author of the now classic Wayward Youth. He quickly learned English and established himself at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Fritz Redl  
"Father" of Psychoeducation